Poll: Iconic Shots in Which Actors Were Doubled

Tommy Lee Wallace in Halloween (1978)

It is a well-known fact that in Halloween masked serial killer Michael Myers was portrayed by many people. But in this rather iconic shot Myers is not portrayed by neither Nick Castle nor Tony Moran who are credited for the role, but by Tommy Lee Wallace, film's production designer and editor who has quite some screentime as the character in the movie as well (mostly because he knew how to break and tear things in less takes then most actors).

Heather Langenkamp and Jim Doyle in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Robert Englund somehow managed to create what is effectively one of horror's most known characters in what is likely less then 7 minutes of screen time. Less because he is extensively doubled through some of the special effects and stunts. Most notable, effective and memorable shot of Freddy pressing through the wall is not Englund, but a special effects technician Jim Doyle (whose hand you can also see in the bathtub). In the first scene of the movie, in which we witness Freddy creating his horrendous murder weapon it is also not Englund, but Charles Belardinelli.

"Psycho"

We won't spoil who it should be (in case you didn't know), but it is actually an uncredited stand-in through whole iconic scene.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Keaton in Batman Returns (1992)

As the iconic last shot of Catwoman was an afterthought, it is not Michelle Pfeifer, but an unknown double.

#5

Iconic shot of Harry Lime's fingers trying to reach the freedom as he is cornered in the sewers of Vienna are actually those of director Carol Reed rather then Orson Welles. Welles was actually extensively doubled due to both being late for the shoot for two weeks and refusing to film in the sewers (so his shots there actually accomplished in the studio with doubles filmed in Vienna).

David Cronenberg in Videodrome (1983)

Most of the shots of Max Renn in helmet are actually of director David Cronenberg doubling for James Woods. Cronenberg was afraid that the helmet might electrocute actor and opted to risk his health instead.

Kevin Bacon and Taso N. Stavrakis in Friday the 13th (1980)

The arms of the killer in the classic 80's slasher movie are not of the actor who portrays such in the twist climax, but actually of special makeup effects wizard Tom Savini.

Maniac (1980)

In one of the infamously gory moments of this movie special make-up wizard Tom Savini gets his brains blown off with a shotgun by Frank Zito. But it's was not legendary actor Joe Spinell who pulled the trigger, but Savini himself: the head was an elaborate bust.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Many close-ups of Andy Dufresnse's hands are not such of Tim Robbins, but rather of director Frank Darabont. Darabont wanted very specific movements in the scenes with revolver and hammer, so he performed them himself.

Bob Simmons in Dr. No (1962)

You might think that the first ever actor to portray James Bond is Sean Connery, but you will be wrong twice. Barry Nelson first portrayed Bond in Casino Royale, but even the first time you see Bond in the official EON production is not Connery either. For the first three James Bond movies, famous gun barrel opening actually has Bob Simmons as James Bond, a veteran stuntman who doubled for Connery and other bonds in many movies and also portrayed a number of henchmen through years.

Bruce Campbell in The Evil Dead (1981)

Apart from Bruce Campbell all four principal cast members dropped out at some point and were replaced by "Fake Shemps": people who doubled for them in distant shots, close-ups and sometimes even shots in which face was seen (thanks to special make-up). The movie is a unique example in which most of such shots go unnoticed.

The Burning (1981)

In many shots of killer Cropsy using the garden sheers director Tony Maylam actually did that himself, including this very shot which ended up being very recognizable from the use on assorted promotional materials.

#13

In rather incredible stunt show of an introduction scene Leatherface was fully portrayed by Tom Morga rather then Bill Johnson who did it for most of the movie.

Death Proof (2007)

Legs of Arlene on a dashboard are actually not that of Vanessa Ferlito, but of credited foot double, Shannon Hazlett.

Jennifer Beals in Flashdance (1983)

In many of the iconic dancing shots in the movie Jennifer Beals is doubled by Marine Jahan.

Peter Kent in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

In that iconic shot of T-800 Terminator doing a crazy motorcycle jump, it is a longtime Scwarzenegger's double Peter Kent doing the jump.

#17

The hands of Hans Landa strangling Bridget are actually those of director Quentin Tarantino rather then Christoph Waltz.

Tom Morga in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

In this eerie and impressive shot of bandaged Michael Myers (and, in fact, in many memorable shots from the movie) he is actually portrayed by Tom Morga rather then George P. Wilbur.

Johnny Hock in Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

Despite featured two times as a double in iconic shots in this list, Tom Morga himself is doubled in an iconic shot of this movie: despite most of Jason Voorhees's scarce scenes were famously Morga's, grand opening features fellow veteran stuntman Johnny Hock.

Adrienne King and Ellen Lutter in Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

There are many actors who brought to life Jason Voorhees in his first true outing in the franchise, but the first ever murder by Jason Voorhees is not portrayed by Warrington Gilette (who was credited as Jason despite only being in one scene) or Steve Dash (who is credited as a stunt Jason despite actually portraying most of the role), but by Jerry Wallace, who is mysteriously credited as "The Prowler" in the end credits.

Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in Thor: The Dark World (2013)

A long-awaited kiss between Jane Foster and Thor was actually not performed by Natalie Portman, who was not available for the day it was shot. Instead, Chris Hemsworth's Elsa Pataky stood in for the shot, donning the wig.